Hello December

Each year I take a few minutes to document December: the cool weather, Christmas lights, family traditions, favorite recipes, and how we remember Christmas. Luckily, Stampin’ Up! makes this awesome set of Project Life cards (called Hello December) as well as a mini 6″ x 8″ album to put it all in one place. I love this year’s colors and theme: Emerald Envy and Real Red are the highlighted colors and it has a light, fun wintery theme. I am so excited to share this year’s project!

First, I want to give you some tips on how to get on board with Documenting December. Then I’ll show you my album and notes on how I will to complete it.

Documenting December:

Prepare the album ahead of time. I prep mine in early November. I place all of the cards in the order I want, as well as the photo pocket pages.

Leave room to write down feelings, traditions, memories, and thoughts.

Pick a theme for each day. You can follow along with a photo a day challenge or come up with your own list of things to document.

Put post it notes in the album to remind yourself what you will document.

Take pictures throughout December and at the end of the month, print them out and pop them into the album.

Share the album with family and friends and enjoy for years to come!!

Alright, are you ready to see my 2016 Hello December Album? [I’m going to leave some commentary in between the photos – mostly because you won’t be able to read my handwriting, but also to give you ideas of how to make your own.]

Page 1: Title Page

I like to use a 6 x 8″ title page. I will add this card to a White background with a red border and embellish the page. I am planning on snapping a photo of a wreath, or stamping one onto the white page as well.

Page 1: Calendar

I like to start the December album with a calendar. I will remember what days of the week things occurred and it helps me plan the album.

Page 1 & 2 Spread

Part of my documenting December experience is reflecting on the year, the close of 2016 and the start of 2017. I want to share a quick blurb on my 2016/2017 journaling. I have chosen “In Love” to be my focus for 2017 because:

Matthew 22:37 says, “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment.39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

With tensions being high in our Country, with this election season, within the Christian community, and with those around us, I have strong biblical convictions rooted in this verse that we must love our neighbors as ourselves. We must first love God, but then we love our neighbors and if our focus shifts outwards from ourselves to Christ and those around us we can impact the communities around us in an amazing way.

I have journaled about this on my opening page for December. I am also printing this passage out and placing it where I will see it every day in 2017 so that I will be intentional and prayerful about doing all things ‘In Love’.

Page 3 & 4 spread

I haven’t decided what I will say on day 2, but I have room to write about things we do together as a family. I want to add a photo of our weekly bonfire and my favorite Target shopping decor.

Page 5 & 6 spread

Decorations!! I’ll add a photo of our tree and tree skirt, the stockings hung from my newish stocking holders and the christmas lights on the house. I’ll journal about my favorite Christmas decoration, my German Windmill (nativity pyramid). I plan to finish off the bottom of the page with glitter and sequins.

Page 7 & 8 spread

Baking. Most of the year we eat clean, paleo, but I do love to bake Christmas cookies and make paleo truffles. I will add a photo of me and the little one baking and the recipe for my favorite Buckeye Brownie Cookies will go into the full page sleeve.

Page 9 & 10 I somehow missed. Page 10 & 11:

Every Friday night we have family movie night. I am sure we will watch a Christmas movie. Also, mom and me like to knit so I would like to document that on day 10.

Page 12 & 13 spread

By now the tree will be up (we put it up around Thanksgiving) and I’ll add photos of ornaments and journal about sentimental ones and traditions surrounding the ornaments we buy and give.

Page 14 & 15 spread

Page 16 & 17 spread

Starbucks. Starbucks plays a huge role in my life. I love coffee and I love the atmosphere of Starbucks. It is my relaxing place. So, I’ll document this year’s cup, the coffee sleeve and my favorite drink.

Page 18 & 19 spread

In December we go to the local park and see a drive through light display. I can’t wait to add a picture of this year’s lights. Good wine and food are going on day 18 & 19.

Page 20 & 21 spread

These two boxed cards are going to be great for making lists. I can’t wait to list my favorite things & traditions for December.

Page 22 & 23 spread

This week in December is Christmas Eve dinner prep. I clean, make a menu, shop and decorate the dining room. That will all go here on page 22 & 23.

Page 24 & 25 spread

Christmas Eve Dinner! My favorite meal of the year. We host this every year and I can’t wait to fill the next three pages with photos of family, food and fun from our Eve festivities.

December 25

Ive devoted 3 pages to the 25th to journal, add photos and make lists of favorite things from this 2016 December.

I hope you found these notes helpful and encouraging for creating your very own December Album. I really enjoy making this album each year and preparing it ahead of time relives the stress of putting it together during a busy season and it ensures I’ll actually get things finished and it won’t be another unfinished project.

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